Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-14

other cause than my intense admira-
ton of one of the Creators most beau
tiful masterpieces.
His eye met that of the lovely Laura,
and in her blushing cheeks and droop-
ing lashes it could not escape him that
Panolfo's daughter participated in his
feelings. The spell of enchantment was
upon them, and before either had ex-
| changed speech the mute language of
the eye assured each that they were
loved. UncOnsciously Panolfo fed the
| flame; for the more condescendingly
he played the patron to the artist, the
more sympathetic grew Lauras
| chances, and the more anxious she APP
| peared to atone for the pain of humil-
ner.
1 ''They tell me, sir, began the mer-
chant, that you are not wanting in
talent, but that you are poor and in
need of work. | have always taken
pleasure in fostering the arts, so we
I will see whether you deserve ones
| patronage"
Ribera bit his lip and bowed-it was
all he could trust himself to do. Laura
noticed the scarcely hidden play of his
| features, land to smooth the rising storm,
said sweetly:
''You are stranger here, sir?'
] Her voice seemed to touch every
chord in the painters heart. His brow
grew smooth again as he replied:
II was born in Spain, signora, near
Valencia. [ have been in Rome,
Venice, Florence, and Parma; in every
place | have visited | have left traces
of my work behind me; wherever the
divine art of painting fiourishes there
| have gathered honey as q bee from
| summer flowers. | am now settled at
| Naples, and never intend to leave it,
with a meaning glance at Laura.
what induces you, sir painter, to
| give this city your gracious prefer
| enceW with a Sneering smile.
| Although Ribera felt the blood slow
| ly rising to his face, he managed to
| answer calmly. That is a secret,
signor."
you are too curious, father" said
| Laura, throwing a little oil on this in
cipient contlagration. ''Signor Ribera
doubtless wishes you to infer that he
| I0UeS"
Eyes, signor," said Ribera, II love,
and with an ardor that will last for nv
| lifei"
ga truce to this fencing" inpatient
ly said PanoIfo. LET us come to
| business. Come, my good sir, are
you minded to earn Internationally
ducats? But you have not yet in
formed me what branch of your art you
pursued"
Tell me only" said Ribera. 'swhat
you think of ordering"
"a sign tor ney aOareroonas !"
This was too much. Ribera moved
as if to rise, but an imploring gesture
from Laura restrained him; his anger,
however, was so great that he could
not find words to say whether or not he
accepted this proposal.
care you not inclined for it?" said
Panolfo. ''Why it would be the finest
possible opportunity Of making your
self known, and if you have any talent
you could have no better way Of show
| ing it to the public. Do something de-
cent for me, and all my fellow mer-
chants will give you commissions forth
with.
''Will YOU trust the choice of sub
ject to me?" said Ribera, with sudden
animation. ''On no other condition
will | undertake your commission"
WELL replied the merchant, 4
have confidence in your taste; do what
YOU like for me-
'.And what price do YOU stipulate
| for?' asked R,bera, with a smile of
| bitterness.
CAS- l told you before, fve-and-
| twenty ducats; and that, according to
my notion, is paying the thing well,
| You need only make beginning, and,
if am satisfied, | will let You paint
my portrait too, and double the
amount You see, ! know how to do
| things"
MY thanks to you," cried Ribera,
rising to his majestic heighth. Had
you left it to me, should have said five
hundred ducats as the price; but only
ask to fix the picture | shall paint for
you for one single day over the door of
your house and it shall not cost you so
| much as breath You are in the
| right. [ must make myself known,
and | seize the opportunity that pre-
| sents itself. You may give it out pub
licly, signor, that you have concluded
a good bargain with the first painter in
Naples. In short time we shall
meet again. Adieu, signor. Fare
well, signora."
Ribera slowly withdrew. As he
fingered moment beneath the win
dow of the room he had just quilted,
purse fell at his feet. 1t contained
five hundred ducats, and slipo pa
| per on which was written in delicate
characters, My hand and fortune for
the first painter in Naples.
A few days after the occurrence
narrated above, large crowd was as
sembled in front of Panolfo's house.
Every one was pointing toward it or
clapping his hands, aud asking the
name of the artist who, during the pre-
ceding night, had erected as sign the
magnificent picture of the Martyrdom
of St. Bartholomew. The enthusiasm
| of the throng soon manifested itself in
vehement clamor. Never till then had
such subject found such an interpre-
ter; never till then had the pencil of
mortal man scared to SO high degree
of expression and power.
The news soon spread over the town,
and the crowd in the square grew SO
| large at last that the viceroy himself